None of my properties have broken the 1000SF mark.  The largest at 935SF wasn’t the one that felt the biggest and the smallest –  525SF didn’t feel the smallest.  Layout is everything when it comes to the livability of a space.  Natural light and high ceilings also contribute to a feeling of expansiveness even if you don’t have a sunroom off the kitchen or a game room for the kids.

Pint Sized . 525 SF

At 708 SF property No. 4 feels smaller than I’d like.  The living room is petite and as I have mentioned there is no room for a dining table.  All around, furniture solutions will play a big role in my comfort and overall happiness in the space.  Fortunately I have learned a thing or two about furnishing small spaces, and new clever, creative and well designed solutions for those of us that choose to live small, arrive like welcome house warming gifts to the market all the time.

Tried and true small space hacks include:

Lucite Chairs – they stack, disappear, and can be used in endless ways from desk chairs, to living room seating,  at the dining table, or tucked into a corner of a bedroom.  I also use mine as a stepping stool – it supports up to 300lbs.

Barely there.  The Louis Ghost . Phillip Stark for Kartell

Side Tables – placed side-by-side they eliminate the challenge of a large single coffee table, and can be broken apart and moved around to accommodate a guests cocktail or an Hors D’oeuvres platter.

Suzanne Kasler’s Living Rm. uses upholstered stools and small coffee tables for interest and versatility.

Stools and Poufs – seating in small spaces is always a challenge.  Multi-purpose furniture is a must.  Whether you choose an inexpensive garden stool, upholstered piece or a pouf, whether you display a flower arrangement, a stack of coffee table books,  or rest your weary legs after scurrying around the kitchen preparing cocktails for an impromptu get together, I take seriously the adage – you can never have enough!

Pouf an extra spot for someone to sit.

Some of my favorite new to market finds include a modern take on an old European favorite – The Gossip Chair by Oomph.  Oomph really understands how to design these tiny little petite-fours that they call chairs and have them comfortably accommodate a a 6′ tall, 285lb man.  No small accomplishment.  Having used their Slipper Chairs in two separate applications – both in narrow living room spaces – I can attest to their elegance and functionality.  If you must gossip – do it in this chair.

Oomph . Gossip Chair $3630.

CB2’s Recluse Desk is contemporary cool – hung on a wall, and disguised as an objet d’art. Clever and functional.  Now that’s sexy.

CB2 . Recluse Desk $449.

In my hunt for a dining table solution, my friend recommended a company called Resource Furniture.  Who knew a 17″ console table could expand to a 115″ dining table.  Now that’s brilliant.

Resource Furniture . The Goliath Console . price upon request.

As I prepare for another busy week, I’m hoping for a dash of that inspiration to float my way.  Happy Sunday.